Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1887-01-18

Secretary O.Dea's Summary OF Come
plants Against the X. Of l..

The annual report OF the secretary of the Brick
layers and Masons International Union, adopted
at the session just closed In this city contained
some emphatic remarks on the relations OF trades
unions and the Knights Of Labor. After review
Ing the struggle for shorter hours last spring. and
rsmarking that whatever points OF advantage
were gained on the side Of labor were gained by
the trades unions. Mr.. O'Dea proceeded: awhile
on this theme OF labor troubles win now call
your attention to that most important one Of ALL
the relation OF our union with the Knights OF
Labor. II has been and is the most important
subject We have had to deal WITH for the attitude
OF the trades unions against the r. OF L. has COM
mandeti the attention VI everybody connected with
labor throughout the country. and ar this late day
1t IS almost Impossible To tell what the final out
come VIII be. That orr union should be drawn
into the whirlpool ri dispute with other trades
was but natural. In the beginning we were Jed to
believe that nothing serious 10 the welfare os
our crafts would occur 81 rs TO rtari
our progress. or mar our peaceful relations with
oar nrlgiioors We were delighted nj the Surpris-
Ing uidhce OF labor In organization. ard ON our
part we len, our hest endeaVors 10 assist in the
good WORK. Labor rose in immense numbers last
spring. The trades were greatly strengthened
and those branch-s Of trade which had no parent
OF national organization became parcels of the
2f"aI IL. 81 l. body Labor was preparing for
great conflict the reduction Of hours OF Labor, and
Jhey were niafShaling their forces together prepa-
ratorJ for the conflict. The growth or the h or L.
was surprising. II too rapid 10 be healthy. il
became too ponderOus and unwieily 10 be handed
successfully, il muI inipd n its own restrictive
laws ana u allowed IFS subordinate 'SatrapS 70
undermine the foundations OF organizations which
Were long IN existence before they We're born. II
Violated It's principles Of the elevation and free
dom OF labor from the caprices OF capital. TO
tue effect Of disintegrating already Organ-
Hed labor. II wanted al other Organiz-
atoms to become subject to them. II wanted the
world 6~ IL did ,sot get il. 1t, ofnci0uS under
nngS invaded the precincts OF our rights in their
seriousness To capture or DESTROY, ard they ill.,
vlted the conflict which afterwards came. Their
actions in a general sense. TO Seduce subordinate
unions OF trades craft AMI their members lDdivid-
ually 70 renOunce their allegiance 20 their parent
order created disturbance and dSSenson to such
degree that decided and united action was neceS-
sary 10 prevent Such encroachmentS. Complaints
from all trades were being constantly made, re-
dress was sought OF the general executive board OF
the h. OF L., f0rbearance ceased TO be virtue and
the result was the issuing or circular dat ed April
70. 1856. calling for conference OF the executive
officers of national and International trades unions
TO be held in Philadelphia
After describing the various conferences held,
Mr.. ODea states that or the eighty brick
LAYERS unions from whom answers were received
all voted against consolidation with the Knights
OF Labor, and all but one voted against amalga-
nation.